Connected fastener having separation facilitator

ABSTRACT

The object of the invention is to secure straight travelability for a fastener during the driving of the latter, simplify the connecting fastener production process, simplify the cleaning of the work site, and prevent work-attending damage to the flooring. In a connecting fastener, kraft paper ( 5 ) in a combination band ( 2, 3 ) for holding a number of nails ( 2 ) is pasted to opposite surfaces of the nails ( 2 ), the kraft paper ( 5 ) having a plastic layer ( 6 ) that is formed with a plurality of grooves ( 7 A,  7 B) with a pitch smaller than the arrangement pitch of the nails ( 2 ), facilitating the separation of the nails ( 2 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connected fastener to be loaded in afastener driving machine for driving a fastener such as a nail and ascrew, and a combination band to be used for a connected fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, as a technology of a connected fastener to be loaded ina fastener driving machine, a wire connected nail disclosed in theofficial gazette of the Japanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No.4-119615, and a paper connected type nail disclosed in the officialgazette of the Japanese Patent Application Laid Open (JP-A) No.11-216686 are known. The above-mentioned wire connected nail comprises alarge number of nails arranged in parallel and connected with a wire,with the nails integrated and adhered with each other by the wire, and anotch provided to the wire part between the nails.

Moreover, a connected nail disclosed in the official gazette of theJapanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No. 59-175707, with asupporting part supported at the upper and lower parts of a nail, athick part and a thin part provided to the supporting part, and the thinpart provided with the vulnerability, is known.

Moreover, a paper connected type nail disclosed in the official gazetteof the Japanese Patent Application Laid Open (JP-A) No. 11-216686,comprising a large number of nails arranged in parallel and interposedbetween a pair of papers, and perforations formed in the paper partsbetween the nails, is known. Additionally, the official gazette of theU.S. Pat. No. 2,888,320 is known.

However, in the case of the wire connected nail of the official gazetteof the Japanese Utility Model Application Laid open No. 4-119615, if thenail is driven by a fastener driving machine, the wire part is scatteredand spread over the work floor surface so that the worker steps on thewire and slips, the work floor surface is damaged, tainted, and theattention is required for cleaning the spread wire scattered piecesafter the work.

Moreover, according to the connected nail of the official gazette of theJapanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No. 59-175707 forsupporting the nails with the supporting part with each other, in thecase the nail is driven by the fastener driving machine to a flooring,or the like, if the supporting part supporting the lower part of thenail can hardly be cut, the nail lower part becomes inclined by beingpulled by the supporting part at the time the impact of the driver ofthe fastener driving machine is applied, so that a problem arises inthat the nail is driven obliquely.

Although the paper connected type nail of the official gazette of theJapanese Patent Application Laid Open (JP-A) No. 11-216686 has a purposeof preventing the nail inclination of the connected nail of the officialgazette of the Japanese Utility Model Application Laid Open No.59-175707, which is proposed by the present applicant, it was revealedthat the extra labor and time are needed in the production if theperforations are formed accurately in the papers between the nails afterinterposing the nails between the papers in the case of forming theperforations in the papers the nails with each other.

The connected fastener according to the present invention has beenachieved in view of the circumstances, and an object thereof is tosecure straight movement of a fastener such as a nail and a screw at thetime of driving the fastener, simplify the production process of theconnected fastener, simplify the cleaning of the work site, and preventwork-attending damage to the flooring.

SUMMARY

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a connectedfastener comprises a plurality of fasteners supported in parallel withan arrangement pitch by a combination band; wherein the combination bandis made either of a paper or a resin having an adhesive layer; whereinthe adhesive layer of the combination band is bonded to at least onesurface of the fasteners at least at any of an upper part, a middle partor a lower part of the fasteners that are disposed in parallel; whereinthe combination band is provided with a plurality of separationfacilitators for facilitating separation of the fasteners, theseparation facilitators extend from an upper part of a subsequentfastener toward a lower part of a preceding fastener, and the separationfacilitators are formed with a distance between each pair of adjacentseparation facilitators that is smaller than the arrangement pitch ofthe fasteners; wherein each of the separation facilitators is selectedfrom the group consisting of:

-   -   a slit, a thin part, or perforations formed in the adhesive        layer;    -   a v-shaped notch formed in an upper end rim part of the        combination band and has a forward side extending coaxially with        the fastener and a backward side having an inclination angle of        3 to 6 degrees with respect to an axial direction of the        fastener;    -   a vulnerable part formed as a linear thin part across an        entirety of the width direction of the adhesive layer, the width        direction extending substantially in the longitudinal direction        of the fasteners; and    -   a vulnerable part formed as a linear thin part of the adhesive        layer, at a position between the shafts of the fasteners        disposed in parallel at equal intervals.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a connected fastenercomprises a plurality of fasteners each having a shaft of apredetermined length and a head part to be hit mounted on an upper endof the shaft, the fasteners are disposed in parallel at equal intervalsand formed into a flat shape by connecting the shafts of the arrangedfasteners with a combination band; wherein the combination band is atape member made of a base member comprising a paper or a material whichdoes not melt at a predetermined temperature, having a predeterminedwidth and one surface provided with an adhesive layer which functions asa bond at the predetermined temperature; wherein the fasteners arebonded to the combination band at a predetermined position on a lowerside of the shaft below a center of the shaft in the longitudinaldirection, or the fasteners are bonded at both the predeterminedposition on the lower side and at a vicinity of the upper end part;wherein the adhesive layer of the combination band is provided with atleast a vulnerable part formed as a linear thin part, at a positionbetween the shafts of the fasteners disposed in parallel at equalintervals, inclining at a direction from an upper part of a subsequentfastener toward a lower part of a preceding fastener, wherein in thethin parts there is a layer of adhesive that is thinner than a thicknessof the adhesive layer in remaining parts of the adhesive layer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a combination band forconnecting a plurality of fasteners having a shaft of a predeterminedlength and a head to be hit mounted on the upper end of the shaft sothat the plurality of fasteners form a flat shape is provided. Thecombination band has a base material formed into a tape having apredetermined width extending substantially in the longitudinaldirection of the fasteners and made of a paper or a flexible materialwhich does not melt at a predetermined temperature; wherein the basematerial is provided with an adhesive layer on one side having a bondingfunction at the predetermined temperature; wherein the adhesive layer isprovided with a vulnerable part formed as a plurality of linear thinparts across an entirety of the width direction, wherein in the thinparts there is a layer of adhesive that is thinner than a thickness ofthe adhesive layer in remaining parts of the adhesive layer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a connected fastenercomprises a plurality of fasteners supported in parallel with anarrangement pitch by a combination band; wherein the combination band ismade either of a paper or a resin having an adhesive layer; wherein theadhesive layer of the combination band is bonded to at least one surfaceof the fasteners at least at any of an upper part, a middle part or alower part of the fasteners that are disposed in parallel; wherein thecombination band is provided with a plurality of means for facilitatingseparation of the fasteners, the separation facilitating means extendfrom an upper part of a subsequent fastener toward a lower part of apreceding fastener, and the separation facilitators are formed with adistance between each pair of adjacent separation facilitating meansthat is smaller than the arrangement pitch of the fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1(1) is a partial enlarged view of a connected fastener accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(2) is a modifiedembodiment of the connected fastener of (1).

FIG. 2 is a partial view showing the planar shape of the connectedfastener of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the nail behavior at the time ofdriving the connected fastener according to FIG. 1 by a fastener drivingmachine.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the production process of acombination band to be used for the connecting fastener of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5(1) is a partial enlarged view of a connected fastener accordingto a second embodiment. FIGS. 5(2), (3) are modified embodiments of FIG.5(1).

FIG. 6 is a partial view showing the planar shape of the connectedfastener of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7(1) is a partial enlarged view of a connected fastener accordingto a third embodiment. FIG. 7(2) is a partial enlarged view of aconnected fastener according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8(1) is a partial enlarged view of a connected fastener accordingto a fifth embodiment. FIG. 8(2) is a partial enlarged view of aconnected fastener according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9(1) is a partial enlarged view of a connected fastener accordingto a seventh embodiment. FIG. 9(2) is a partial enlarged view of aconnected fastener according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a connected fastener according to a ninthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an essential part plan view of a connected fastener shown inFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a combination band used for theconnected fastener according to the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state at the timeof driving the connected fastener according to the ninth embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the connected fasteners according to the embodiments of thepresent invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Thefasteners described below are explained as the ones including a nail anda screw.

FIG. 1(1) is a partial enlarged view of a connected nail as a connectedfastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Theconnected nail 1 is a connected nail formed like a plate. The connectednail 1 is supported and loaded in the body part of a fastener drivingmachine 8 as a fastener driving machine shown in FIG. 3 so as to be sentout in the arrow A direction toward the lower part of a driver 9.

The above-mentioned connected nail 1 is formed by arranging a pluralityof fasteners (a nail 22, a screw 51, or the like to be described later)in a row at equal intervals, and binding the fasteners integrally by acombination band 4 to be described later. Moreover, the fastenerscomprise a shaft part (shank) to be driven into a lumber or the like(so-called work), and a flange-like head part on the upper end part ofthe shank which has a diameter larger than the shaft diameter of theabove-mentioned shank to be hit by the tip end of the driver 9 of thefastener driving machine 8. Moreover, the tip end as the lower end ofthe shank is sharpened.

As an optimum example, the connected nail 1 according to this embodimenthas a structure with a pair of combination bands 3, 3 bonded to thelower part of the nail 2 (shank lower part), and the combination bands4, 4 bonded to the upper part of the nail 2 (shank upper part).Moreover, the upper and lower combination bands 3, 4 are provided at thesubstantially same position (common position) by setting the shank headpart as the reference even when the other connected nails havingdifferent shank lengths are used for the same fastener driving machine8. This is because the supporting position for the connected nail in thefastener driving machine 8 is based on the head position. That is, thisis for supporting the posture at the time of moving the connected nailby contacting the combination band with a predetermined position in theloading part (magazine), or engaging a fastener supplying feeding nail,or the like (not shown) with the part in the shank where the combinationband is not provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the combination bands 3, 3 and the combination bands4, 4 have a plastic layer 6 with an adhesive property such as a highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) formed as the adhesive layer on a craftpaper 5.

The above-mentioned adhesive layer is formed by heating and melting ahot melt type adhesive, applying the same on a paper connected materialsuch as a craft paper 5, and cooling down the same to an ordinarytemperature so as to be in a solid state. The hot melt type adhesive ismade of a thermoplastic resin (plastic) such as a high densitypolyethylene (HDPE).

The hot melt type adhesive can be provided by using a terpene resin, anasphalt, a rosin and a derivative thereof, a polyvinyl acetate, anethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a polyamide, a phenoxy resin, an ethylcellulose, a polyisobutylene, a petroleum resin, a polyester, or thelike alone or as a mixture. From the aspect of the connected fastenersupporting strength, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) is preferable.

In the plastic layers 6 formed on the surface of the craft paper 5 ofthe connecting bands 3 and the connecting bands 4, narrow width grooves7A, 7B as a separation facilitating means are formed in parallel by apitch shorter than the arrangement positions of the nails 2, 2. Thegrooves 7A, 7B elongate from the lower part of the preceding side nail 2to the upper part of the subsequent side nail 2, with an inclination of3 to 6 degrees provided with respect to the axial direction of the nail2.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the case the connected nail 1 is loaded in thefastener driving machine 8, it is forced frontward from the rear side(in the direction toward the left side in FIG. 3) so as to be sent outto the lower part of the drive 9 to be the ejection path and wait to behit. By pulling a trigger of the fastener driving machine 8, which isnot shown, the driver 9 is lowered so that the nail 2 is pushed out bythe driver 9 so as to drive the top end part of the nail 2 into jointmaterials 10, 11.

As mentioned above, since the grooves 7A, 7B are formed in thecombination bands 3, 4 and the grooves 7A, 7B are inclined rearward byan angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to the shaft of the nail 2, inparticular the lower part of the combination band 3 is cut so as to bedisplaced to the oblique front side at the time of driving the nail 2.Thereby, since inclination of the lower end part of the nail 2 to theright side of FIG. 2 can be prevented, the straight forward movement ofthe nail is improved so that the driving operation can be executedsubstantially vertically with respect to the joint-materials 10, 11.

Moreover, since the plastic layer 6 is fixed integrally with the craftpaper 5, the plastic layer 6 is made of a polyethylene, and thepolyethylene is flexible, it can hardly be scattered so that there is norisk of slip of the worker at the time of work, the floor surfacecleaning can be facilitated, and the floor surface can hardly be damagedeven in the case the worker steps on that.

As another embodiment shown in FIG. 1(2), a combination band 3 may beadhered to the substantially middle part of the nails 2, 2. In theplastic layer 6 as the adhesive layer of the combination band 3′,grooves 7A′ having a narrow width as a separation facilitating means areformed in parallel by a pitch shorter than the arrangement pitch of thenails 2,2. The grooves 7A′ elongate from the lower part of the precedingside nail 2 to the upper part of the subsequent side nail 2, with aninclination of 3 to 6 degrees provided with respect to the axialdirection of the nails 2.

FIG. 4 shows the shaping process of the combination bands 3, 4. Thecombination bands 3, 4 to be shaped have a plastic layer 6 formedpreliminarily on a craft paper 5 formed like a band. The plastic layer 6is softened by heating with a heater 13, and then the draft paper 5 issent out between a groove molding 14 and a supporting roller 15. Thegroove molding 14 comprising a gear-like shape forms the grooves 7A, 7Bin the softened plastic layer 6 of the craft paper 5. The combinationbands 3, 4 with the grooves 7A, 7B formed are sent to a disposingprocess for arranging the nails 2 in parallel so as to be attached onthe right and left side surfaces of the nails 2. Of course, in order toattach the combination bands 3, 4 on the both side surfaces of the nails2 at the same time, a pair of the craft papers 5 are provided for thecombination band 3 and the combination band 4. While the plastic layer 6is in a softened state and the nails 2 are heated by the heating means,a pair of the craft papers 5 are attached on the both side surfaces ofthe nails 2 and cut by a predetermined length. As to the shaping method,another method can be used as well, and thus it is not limited to thismethod.

FIG. 5(1), FIG. 6 are partial enlarged views of a connected nailaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. The connectednails 20 shown in FIG. 5(1) and FIG. 6 have the substantially sameconfiguration as the connected nails 1 shown in FIG. 1 and a plasticlayer 25 is formed on the inner side of a craft paper 24 of thecombination bands 22, 23 for supporting the nails 21. The nails 21 aresupported between the plastic layers 25

Notches 26, 27 elongating in the oblique direction are formed in theupper end rim part of the craft paper 24 by a pitch shorter than thearrangement pitch of the nails 21. The inclination of the notches 26, 27has an inclination substantially from 3 degrees to 6 degrees withrespect to the nails 21 so as to be cut along the notches 26, 27 at thetime the head parts of the nails 21 are hit by the above-mentioneddriver 9.

The connected nails shown in FIG. 5(2) have substantially V-shapednotches 28 formed by a pitch shorter than the arrangement pitch of thenails 21 in place of the notches 26, 27. The orientation of the notches28 inclines in the same orientation as the above-mentioned notches 26,27. Since they are same as the connecting nails 20 of FIG. 5(1) in theother configuration, the explanation can be incorporated.

Although the craft paper was used as the base material for configuringthe combination bands 3, 4, or the like as the optimum example in theabove-mentioned embodiment, a plastic film or sheet with the tearingeasiness in the width direction improved may be used as well. In thecase of using such a synthetic resin material, the melting temperatureshould be higher than that of the above-mentioned adhesive layer to bemelted at a predetermined temperature.

FIG. 5(3) shows another embodiment of the connected nails. The connectednails 20′ shown in FIG. 5(3) has the substantially same configuration asthe connected nails 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the plastic layer 25 isformed on the inner side surface of the craft paper 24 of thecombination bands 22′, 23′ for supporting the nails 21. The nails 21 aresupported between the plastic layers 25, 25.

Then, in this embodiment, unlike the above-mentioned connected nails 1,perforations 26′, 27′ as the separation facilitating means are formed inthe craft paper 24 by a pitch shorter than the arrangement pitch of thenails 21. The perforations 26′, 27′ have an inclination substantiallyfrom 3 degrees to 6 degrees with respect to the nails 21 so as to be cutalong the perforations 26′, 27′ at the time the head parts of the nails21 are hit by the above-mentioned driver 9.

FIG. 7(1) shows a connected nail 30 of a third embodiment of the presentinvention. The connected nail 30 has a structure such that a pair ofright and left combination bands 32, 33 are adhered on the both sides atthe upper part and the lower part of nails 31. As in the case of theconnected nail shown in FIG. 6, those using a craft paper as the basematerial provided with a plastic (HDPE) are used for the combinationbands 32, 33. Then, in this embodiment, a notch 34 having an inclinationangle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to the axial direction of the nail31 is formed each in the upper and lower end rim parts of thecombination bands 32, 33 of the upper part and the lower part.

FIG. 7(2) shows a connected nail 35 of a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention. The connecting nail 35 has a structure such that apair of right and left combination bands 37, 38 are adhered on the bothsides at the upper part and the lower part of a nail 36. As in the caseof the connected nail shown in FIG. 6, those using a craft paper as thebase material provided with a plastic (HDPE) are used for thecombination bands 37, 38. Then, a V-shaped notch 39 having aninclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to the axial directionof the nail 36 is formed each in the upper and lower end rim parts ofthe combination bands 37, 38 of the upper part and the lower part. Asshown in FIG. 7(2), one side for forming the V-shaped notch 39 elongatesin the same axial direction as the nail 36, and the other side forforming the notch 39 has an inclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees withrespect to the axial direction of the nail 36.

FIG. 8(1) shows a connected nail 40 of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

The connected nail 40 has a structure such that a pair of right and leftcombination bands 42 are adhered on the both sides of the substantiallymiddle part of a nail 41. As in the case of the connected nail shown inFIG. 6, those using a craft paper as the base material provided with aplastic (HDPE) are used for the combination bands 42. Then, a notch 43having an inclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to the axialdirection of the nail 41 is formed in the upper and lower end rim partsof the combination bands 42.

FIG. 8(2) shows a connected nail 44 of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention. The connected nail 44 has a structure such that a pair ofright and left combination bands 46 are adhered on the both sides of thesubstantially middle part of a nail 45. As in the case of the connectednail shown in FIG. 6, those using a craft paper as the base materialprovided with a plastic (HDPE) are used for the combination bands 46.Then, a V-shaped notch 47 having an inclination angle of 3 to 6 degreeswith respect to the axial direction of the nail 46 is formed each in theupper and lower end rim parts of the combination bands 46. As shown inFIG. 8(2), one side for forming the V-shaped notch 47 elongates in thesame axial direction as the nail 41, and the other side for forming thenotch 47 has an inclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to theaxial direction of the nail 41.

FIG. 9(1) shows a connected screw 50 of a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention. The connected screw 50 has a structure such that apair of right and left combination bands 52, 53 are adhered on the bothsides of the upper part and the lower part of a screw 51 as thefastener. As in the case of the connected nail shown in FIG. 6, thoseusing a craft paper as the base material provided with a plastic (HDPE)are used for the combination bands 52, 53. Then, a notch 54 having aninclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to the axial directionof the screw 51 is formed in the upper and lower end rim parts of thecombination bands 52, 53 of the upper part and the lower part.

FIG. 9(2) shows a connected screw 55 of an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention. The connected screw 55 has a structure such that apair of right and left combination bands 57, 58 are adhered on the bothsides of the upper part and the lower part of a screw 56. As in the caseof the connected nail shown in FIG. 6, those using a craft paper as thebase material provided with a plastic (HDPE) are used for thecombination bands 57, 58. Then, a V-shaped notch 59 having aninclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to the axial directionof the screw 56 is formed each in the upper and lower end rim parts ofthe combination bands 57, 58 of the upper part and the lower part. Asshown in FIG. 9(2), one side for forming the V-shaped notch 59 elongatesin the same axial direction as the screw 56, and the other side forforming the notch 59 has an inclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees withrespect to the axial direction of the screw 56.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5(1), the separationfacilitating means between the preceding and subsequent nails 21 in thecombination band 23 (22) may be formed with the line AB (A′B) linkingthe intersection portion A (A′) of the preceding side fastener and thelower end part of the combination band with the intersection portion B(B′) of the subsequent side fastener and the upper end part of thecombination band, as the maximum inclination angle.

Next, a ninth embodiment of a connected fastener, or the like accordingto the present invention will be explained with reference to thedrawings. FIG. 10 is a right side view of the connected fastener 70according to this embodiment, with the connected fastener 70 partiallynotched for explaining the structure. FIG. 11 is a plan view of theconnected fastener showing only the top fastener 71 a out of a pluralityof connected fasteners.

As shown in FIG. 10, the connected fastener 70 has a configuration wherea plurality of fasteners 71 (71 a, 71 b, 71 c, 71 d, . . . ) aredisposed such that the shanks 72 are in parallel to each other and thehead parts 73 are displaced not to be contacted with each other in orderto be disposed with equal intervals, and the fasteners are connectedwith each other by combination bands T1, T2 and combination bands T3,T4.

In the case of this embodiment, the combination bands T1, T2, T3, T4 areformed like a tape with about a 10 mm width, and as in theabove-mentioned other embodiments, an adhesive layer 75 of a hot melttype adhesive is provided on the surface of a craft paper (base material74) (FIG. 12( b)). One combination bands T1, T2 according to theconfiguration are adhered on a predetermined position in the lower halfpart of the shank, and the other combination bands T3, T4 are adhered onthe upper part of the shank. Moreover, the combination bands T1 and T3are provided on the right side surface of the connected fastener 70, andthe combination bands T2 and T4 are provided on the left side surface ofthe connecting fastener 70.

A fastener 71 used for the connecting fastener 70 shown in the figurehas a shank with a total length L1 of about 90 mm and a shaft diameterdl of about 3.7 mm, and around flange-like head part having a diameterD1 of about 7.6 mm provided on the upper end of the shank. Whiledisplacing upward the head parts of fasteners 71 which interfere witheach other by setting the interval between the fasteners to about 6 mm,the fasteners 71 are connected via the above-mentioned combination bandsT1, T2, T3, T4. The fasteners to be combined as the connecting fastenerare not limited to those of the above-mentioned standard (size).However, those of the other standard may be used as well. In this case,the conditions for the connecting fastener and the combination band tobe explained below should be applied with optional modification.

As a-result of providing the connecting fastener 70 in theabove-mentioned configuration, the angle formed by the straight lineX–X′ linking the same positions (for example, the tip end positions) ofthe fastener-in the preceding position and the fastener in thesubsequent position and the shank is about 111 degrees.

Then, the above-mentioned combination bands are adhered on the bothsides of the arranged fasteners 71 by the same angle as theabove-mentioned angle. The combination bands T1 and T2 are adhered inthe positional relationship where the front and rear sides are facing ata position of about 2 mm lower from the head part 73, and thecombination bands T3, T4 are adhered in the positional relationshipwhere the front and rear sides are facing at a position on the lowerside with respect to the substantially half of the total length.

The connecting fastener 70 formed accordingly is a kind of a structurehaving the rigidity to the extent where the fastener 71 is not separatedeasily or the connecting fastener 70 is not bent by the rupture of thecombination band when dropping the same from a relatively high point orhandling the same in transportation, loading the same, or the like.

In the adhesive layer 75 of the above-mentioned combination bands T1,T2, T3, T4, a linear vulnerable part 76 is formed in a plurality atequal intervals as a separation facilitating means as in theabove-mentioned other embodiments. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explainingthe structure of the combination band. FIG. 12( a) is a side viewshowing the state of the combination band viewed from the adhesive layer75 side, and FIG. 12( b) is an enlarged partial cross sectional view ofthe combination band of the portion provided with the vulnerable part76. Although the four combination bands are used in this embodiment, thecombination bands T1 and T3, and the combination bands T2 and T4 areeach same things, and the combination bands to be used are of two kinds.They differ in terms of the angle of the vulnerable part 76. Thevulnerable part 76 is provided so as to have the same angle with respectto the shank 72 in the case of facing the adhesive layer 75. In thisembodiment, it is provided such that the angle with respect to the shankbecomes about an inclination angle of 3 degrees (114 degrees withrespect to the above-mentioned line X–X′).

The combination band will further be explained with reference to FIG.12. FIG. 12( b) is an enlarged partial cross sectional view showing thevulnerable part 76. As the optimum embodiment, as shown in the samefigure, the vulnerable part 76 is a notch having a V-shaped crosssection. That is, a thin part of the notch is formed with respect to theadhesive layer 75, and the thin part is provided as the rupture part. Aplurality of the V-shaped notches are formed in parallel so as to havethe angle. of about 3 degrees with respect to the above-mentioned shankand the interval (pitch) P2 of about 2 mm.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the combination bands T1 to T4 have thewidth W1 of 10 mm, the thickness h1 of the base material 74 of about 0.2mm, and the thickness h2 of the adhesive layer of about 0.3 mm.Furthermore, the depth h of the notch is about 0.1 mm (0.07 to 0.15 mm),and as a result, the thickness h4 of the thin part is about 0.2 mm (0.23to 0.15 mm).

The specific sizes and the conditions concerning the above-mentionedcombination bands T1 to T4 are found out as a result of the variouskinds of the experiments so as to satisfy the functions to be explainedbelow. That is, as the main conditions required for the combinationbands, largely the following four kinds thereof can be presented.

First, it has the strength not to have the fastener 71 separated ordropped off easily at the time of handling the connecting fastener 70nor to have the fastener 71 broken by the rupture of the combinationband, and the connecting fastener 70 has the rigidity not to be deformedextremely by the external force.

This function is influenced mainly by the materials of theabove-mentioned base material 74 and the adhesive layer 75, and thewidth W1 and the thickness h2 of the adhesive layer. With the largerwidth W1 and thickness h2, the strength and the rigidity are madehigher, and with the smaller ones, the strength and the rigidity aremade lower.

Second, it has a function of preventing the turning of the fastener 71hit by the driver 9 in the fastener driving machine 8 so as to preventthe inclination of the fastener 71 at the time of the ejection.

This function is influenced mainly by the materials of the base material74 and the adhesive layer 75, the angle of the vulnerable part 76, thedepth h3 of the notch (the thickness h4 of the thin part), and the pitchP2 of the vulnerable part 76. That is, the rupture strength of thevulnerable part 76 when the fastener 71 is hit is determined to someextent by the thickness h4 of the thin part. If it can easily beruptured, the inclination of the fastener 71 can be reduced, however, inthe case it can be ruptured extremely easily, the strength and therigidity as the above-mentioned connecting fastener 70 are made lower.Moreover, the angle of the vulnerable part 76 is necessary for movingthe fastener 71 to be turned to the direction opposite to the turning.The pitch P2 will be explained below.

Third, it is the function of supplying the fastener 71 into the ejectionpath. According to the fastener driving machine 8, the fastener beingpositioned at several subsequent pieces from the top position fastener71 a to be hit, or the final part fastener is pressed forward by thepressuring means, and thereby the top position fastener is supplied intothe ejection path. That is, the pressuring force by the pressuring meansis transmitted by the combination bands T1 to T4 so that the topposition fastener 71 a is pushed into the ejection path. That is, thetop position fastener 71 a is pressed against the front side part in theejection path by the combination bands T1 to T4. As in the case of thefirst function, this function is influenced mainly by the width W1, thethickness h2, or the like of the adhesive layer.

Fourth, it is the function of supporting the fasteners 71 bound as theconnecting fastener 70 so as to be driven by the same condition, anddriving all the fasteners vertically with respect to the work withoutbending the same. The same condition denotes that the influence posed bythe combination band to the fasteners 71 is same, and specifically itdenotes that they are necessarily separated by the vulnerable part 76 atthe time of ejecting the fasteners 71.

This function is influenced mainly by the width W1, the angle, and thepitch P2 of the adhesive layer, and in particular, the pitch P2 isimportant. That is, in the case the fastener and the adhesive layer areadhered, in the adhesive layer, a portion to be adhered with thefastener and a part not to be melted are generated alternately. Then, inorder to provide the part not to be melted, that is, provide thevulnerable part 76 having at least one line by the above-mentioned anglebetween the arranged fasteners, the pitch P2 is an important element.This is because the function of the vulnerable part 76 cannot beprovided in the case the vulnerable part 76 is melted even if it isformed preliminarily in the combination band, and at least one linearvulnerable part 76 to be functioned normally is necessary between thefasteners even in the case the melted part is generated.

The above-mentioned is the structure and the function of the connectingfastener and the combination band according to the ninth embodiment.Next, the state of ejecting the connecting fastener 70 by the fastenerdriving machine 8 will be explained with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view to schematically show the state of loadingthe connecting fastener 70 in the fastener driving machine 8 andejecting the connecting fastener 71 a by the driver 9 stepwise.

FIG. 13( a) is the state before operation of the driver 9, wherein theconnecting fastener 70 is forced toward the front side (the left side inthe figure) by the pressuring means (not shown) provided in themagazine. Moreover, in the case of the fastener driving machine 8 ofthis embodiment, the shank 72 is loaded in a state inclined by about 3degrees with respect to the moving direction of the driver 9 to beoperated in the ejection path 77 while the connecting fastener 70 isloaded normally. This is because the top end of the fastener is turnedtoward the rear side by the impact of the driver 9, and thus the angleis set preliminarily in consideration of the turning amount. At the timeof the ejection, together with the angle, the angle of the vulnerablepart functions reciprocally so as to have the posture of the fastener atthe time of driving in an appropriate state.

FIG. 13( b) shows the state where the head part of the fastener 71 ishit by the driver 9 and the combination bands are sheared by the ruptureof the vulnerable parts 76 in the combination bands T1, T2 and thecombination bands T3, T4. At the time of the rupture of the vulnerableparts 76, the combination bands are separated along the angle of thevulnerable parts according to lowering of the fastener and then pushedforward so as to function as the reaction force with respect to thefastener 71 to be turned. Thereby, the fastener 71 is vertically driveninto the work (FIG. 13( c)).

FIG. 13( d) shows the state after completely finishing the drivingoperation. One of the characteristics of the connecting fastener 71according to this embodiment is that the shank of the fastener 71 withthe fragments of the ruptured combination bands attached is driven intothe work. The characteristic provides the extremely superior effects,and one of them is the absence of the litter. In the site wherefasteners are actually used, several hundreds of the fasteners are usedper day. If the combination bands are discharged as the litter each timeof the fastener driving operation, the work site is extremely tainted.In the case of the connecting fastener 71 according to this embodiment,the effect of absence or the extremely small amount of the litterdischarge can be provided. Moreover, if the shank 71 with the fragmentsof the ruptured combination bands attached is driven into the work, theyserves as stoppers to prevent the driven nail to be removed so that theyhave an adverse effect for the fasteners to be removed from the work.

The vulnerable part 76 provided in the combination band will be furtherexplained. As a result of the experiment, in the case the vulnerablepart 76 is not provided, the fastener is ejected while being turned sothat in some cases it is choked in the ejection path. Moreover, even inthe case the vulnerable part 76 is provided with the angle in the samedirection as the shank, the fastener turning cannot be prevented. As aresult of the repeated experiments with the various conditions, thedriving can be executed in the optimum state in the case the angle ofthe vulnerable part 76 has an inclination of about 3 degrees or more.However, the angle has the upper limit, and it is limited by the widthW1, the interval with respect to the adjacent fasteners, and the pitchP2 of the above-mentioned vulnerable parts 76. The minimum requirementto be considered is to meet conditions where the vulnerable part tofunction effectively is necessarily provided between the fasteners asmentioned above. From this viewpoint, in the case of this embodiment,the angle of the upper limit is about 6 degrees.

Moreover, as the method for providing the vulnerable part to functioneffectively between the fasteners as mentioned above, there is a methodof forming the vulnerable part between the fasteners after forming theconnecting fastener. This requires inevitably the work of forming theperforations or the notches, however, the work process is increased andthe base material is processed by the subsequent process so that therigidity is insufficient and it can easily be bent as a result of theexperiment.

Moreover, there is a method of preliminarily forming the combinationband provided with the vulnerable part by the same pitch as the fastenerarrangement pitch, and adhering the combination band with the fastenerwhile positioning the vulnerable part to be disposed between thefasteners. In this case, the time is required for the positioningoperation, and the defect products can easily be produced.

From this viewpoint, according to the present invention, based on thearrangement pitch P1 of the fasteners, or the like, the interval P2 andthe angle are set such that the vulnerable parts are necessarilydisposed between the fasteners regardless of the adhesion of thecombination band.

As heretofore mentioned, the connecting fastener and the combinationband according to the present invention are not limited to those havingthe above-mentioned various size values, or the like, and all theconnecting fasteners and the combination bands having the variousfunctions and various natures to be provided as explained above andhaving the gist of the present invention are included in thetechnological scope of the present invention.

According to the connecting fastener of the first aspect of the presentinvention as explained above, when the impact load is applied to thecombination band at the time of driving the driver, even the lower sidepart of the fastener in the combination band can easily be cut off sothat the inclination of the driving direction by having the drivenfastener pulled by the combination band can be prevented at the time ofdriving the connecting fastener by the driver, and thus the drivenfastener can proceed straightly. Moreover, since the fragments of thecut combination band cannot be scattered on the floor, or the like,taint or damage of the floor surface, or the like can be prevented.Furthermore, since the separation facilitating means can be formedpreliminarily in the combination band, there is no need of thesubsequent process of forming the perforations, or the like between thefastener and the fastener after supporting a plurality of fasteners inparallel on the combination band.

According to the connecting fastener of the second aspect of the presentinvention, since at least any of the notch, the perforations, the slitand the thin part is provided, the separation facilitating means can beformed preliminarily in the combination band or the material with theseparation facilitating means formed can be used so that the productionprocess of the connecting fastener can be simplified, and as a result,it is advantageous in terms of the cost reduction.

According to the connecting fastener of the third aspect of the presentinvention, in the case the combination band is adhered only in the upperpart or the middle part, or the tip end part of the fastener, thecombination band can be cut off further easily at the time of drivingthe fastener. Moreover, if the combination band is adhered at two ormore portions, in the case the connecting fastener is formed like aplate and the plate-like connecting fasteners are piled up, the statewhere the fasteners of the upper combination bands are placed betweenthe fastener and the fastener of the lower combination band so as toprevent movement of the combination bands can be avoided.

According to the connecting fastener of the fourth aspect of the presentinvention, since the combination bands are adhered on both the front andrear side surfaces of the arranged fasteners and the separationfacilitating means is formed in the plastic layer for adhering the innerside fasteners of the combination bands, the piled up combination bandscan slip with each other even in the case the plate-like combinationbands are piled up.

According to the connecting fastener of the fifth aspect of the presentinvention, since the angle of the separation facilitating means isformed in a range of 3 to 6 degrees, the number of the fasteners to beconnected by the combination band can be increased, and the combinationband can easily be separated at the time of driving the driver.

According to the connecting fastener of the sixth aspect of the presentinvention, since the separation facilitating means between the front andrear fasteners is formed so as to be inclined obliquely and link thecombination band lower end part of the front side fastener and thecombination band upper end part of the rear side fastener, it can beseparated easily.

According to the connecting fastener of the seventh to ninth aspect ofthe present invention, by providing the shank and adhering the shank tothe combination band by the upper and lower two portions, the effect ofproviding the strength not to be bent at the time of handling and therigidity of supporting the fasteners to be driven in the fastenerdriving machine can be provided. Moreover, since one vulnerable part tofunction effectively is necessarily provided between the fasteners, theeffect of ejecting all the fasteners stably can be provided.

According to the combination bands of the tenth to twelfth aspect of thepresent invention, the effect of forming a flat plate-like connectingfastener having predetermined strength and rigidity by connecting aplurality of fasteners can be provided. Moreover, since the vulnerablepart is provided in the resin layer as the adhesive layer, the processis easy, the vulnerable part can be formed according to the fasteners tobe connected, and the effect of preliminarily setting the rupturestrength and the rupture direction can be provided.

The connected fastener according to the present invention is used forthe fastener driving machine, or the like used at the construction site,or the like, and it is in particular suited in the case of using a largeamount of the fasteners at the construction site, or the like. Moreover,the combination band is used at the time of producing the connectingfastener.

1. A connected fastener comprising a plurality of fasteners supported inparallel with an arrangement pitch by a combination band; wherein thecombination band is made either of a paper or a resin having an adhesivelayer; wherein the adhesive layer of the combination band is bonded toat least one surface of the fasteners at least at any of an upper part,a middle part or a lower part of the fasteners that are disposed inparallel; wherein the combination band is provided with a plurality ofseparation facilitators for facilitating separation of the fasteners,the separation facilitators extend from an upper part of a subsequentfastener toward a lower part of a preceding fastener, and the separationfacilitators are formed with a distance between each pair of adjacentseparation facilitators that is smaller than the arrangement pitch ofthe fasteners; wherein each of the separation facilitators is selectedfrom the group consisting of: a slit formed in the adhesive layer; athin part formed in the adhesive layer; perforations formed in theadhesive layer; or a v-shaped notch formed in an upper end rim part ofthe combination band and has a forward side extending coaxially with thefastener and a backward side having an inclination angle of 3 to 6degrees with respect to an axial direction of the fastener.
 2. Theconnected fastener according to claim 1, wherein the combination bandincludes a pair of bands that are bonded to both front and rear sides ofthe fasteners.
 3. The connected fastener according to claim 1, whereinthe separation facilitators have an inclination angle of 3 to 6 degreeswith respect to an axial direction of the fastener.
 4. The connectedfastener according to claim 1, wherein the separation facilitatorsdisposed between the preceding and subsequent fasteners in thecombination band are formed with an inclination angle with respect to anaxial direction of the fastener and the line linking an intersectingportion of the preceding fastener and a lower end part of thecombination band with the intersection portion of the subsequentfastener and the upper end part of combination band, as a maximuminclination angle.
 5. The connected fastener according to claim 1,wherein each of the separation facilitators is a slit formed in theadhesive layer.
 6. The connected fastener according to claim 1, whereineach of the separation facilitators is a thin part formed in theadhesive layer.
 7. The connected fastener according to claim 1, whereineach of the separation facilitators is perforations formed in theadhesive layer.
 8. The connected fastener according to claim 1, whereineach of the separation facilitators is a vulnerable part formed as alinear thin part across an entirety of the width direction of theadhesive layer.
 9. The connected fastener according to claim 1, whereineach of the separation facilitators is a vulnerable part formed as alinear thin part of the adhesive layer, at a position between the shaftsof the fasteners disposed in parallel at equal intervals.
 10. Theconnected fastener of claim 1, wherein the slit, thin part, orperforations are formed only in the adhesive layer.
 11. The connectedfastener according to claim 1, wherein the thin part is a vulnerablepart formed as a linear thin part across an entirety of the widthdirection of the adhesive layer, the width direction extendingsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the fasteners.
 12. Theconnected fastener according to claim 1, wherein the thin part is avulnerable part formed as a linear thin part of the adhesive layer, at aposition between the shafts of the fasteners disposed in parallel atequal intervals.
 13. The connected fastener according to claim 1,wherein the thin part is a vulnerable part formed as a linear thin partacross an entirety of the width direction, the width direction extendingsubstantially in the longitudinal direction of the fasteners.
 14. Theconnected fastener according to claim 1, wherein the thin part is avulnerable part formed as a linear thin part, at a position between theshafts of the fasteners disposed in parallel at equal intervals,inclining at a direction from an upper part of a subsequent fastenertoward a lower part of a preceding fastener.
 15. A connected fastenercomprising a plurality of fasteners each having a shaft of apredetermined length and a head part to be hit mounted on an upper endof the shaft, the fasteners are disposed in parallel at equal intervalsand formed into a flat shape by connecting the shafts of the arrangedfasteners with a combination band; wherein the combination band is atape member made of a base member comprising a paper or a material whichdoes not melt at a predetermined temperature, having a predeterminedwidth and one surface provided with an adhesive layer having apredetermined width extending substantially in a longitudinal directionof the fasteners and a thickness, the adhesive layer functions as a bondat the predetermined temperature; wherein the fasteners are bonded tothe combination band at a predetermined position on a lower side of theshaft below a center of the shaft in the longitudinal direction, or thefasteners are bonded at both the predetermined position on the lowerside and at a vicinity of the upper end part; wherein the adhesive layerof the combination band is provided with at least a vulnerable partformed as a linear thin part, at a position between the shafts of thefasteners disposed in parallel at equal intervals, inclining at adirection from an upper part of a subsequent fastener toward a lowerpart of a preceding fastener, wherein in the thin parts the layer ofadhesive is thinner than a thickness of the adhesive layer in remainingparts of the adhesive layer.
 16. The connected fastener according toclaim 15, wherein at least the combination band bonded at thepredetermined position on the lower side below the center of the shaftin the longitudinal direction is provided on both the front and rearsurfaces of the connected fastener formed in the flat shape.
 17. Theconnected fastener of claim 15, wherein the vulnerable part is formedonly in the adhesive layer.
 18. A combination band for connecting aplurality of fasteners having a shaft of a predetermined length and ahead to be hit mounted on the upper end of the shaft so that theplurality of fasteners form a flat shape, the combination bandcomprising: a base material formed into a tape having a predeterminedwidth extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of thefasteners and made of a paper or a flexible material which does not meltat a predetermined temperature; wherein the base material is providedwith an adhesive layer on one side having a bonding function at thepredetermined temperature, wherein the adhesive layer has apredetermined width extending substantially in a longitudinal directionof the fasteners and a thickness; wherein the adhesive layer is providedwith a vulnerable part formed as a plurality of linear thin parts acrossan entirety of the width direction, wherein in the thin parts the layerof adhesive is thinner than a thickness of the adhesive layer inremaining parts of the adhesive layer.
 19. The combination bandaccording to claim 18, wherein the vulnerable part is provided with aninclination at a predetermined angle with respect to the width directionof the combination band.
 20. The combination band according to any ofclaim 18 or 19, wherein the width is about 10 mm, and the thickness ofthe adhesive layer is about 0.3 mm.
 21. A connected fastener comprisinga plurality of fasteners supported in parallel with an arrangement pitchby a combination band; wherein the combination band is made either of apaper or a resin having an adhesive layer; wherein the adhesive layer ofthe combination band is bonded to at least one surface of the fastenersat least at any of an upper part, a middle part or a lower part of thefasteners that are disposed in parallel; wherein the combination band isprovided with a plurality of means for facilitating separation of thefasteners, the separation facilitating means extend from an upper partof a subsequent fastener toward a lower part of a preceding fastener,and the separation facilitators are formed with a distance between eachpair of adjacent separation facilitating means that is smaller than thearrangement pitch of the fasteners.
 22. The combination band of claim21, wherein each of the separation facilitators is selected from thegroup consisting of: a slit; a thin part; perforations; or a v-shapednotch formed in an upper end rim part of the combination band and has aforward side extending coaxially with the fastener and a rearward sidehaving an inclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to an axialdirection of the fastener.
 23. The combination band according to claim22, wherein each of the separation facilitators is a slit formed in theadhesive layer.
 24. The combination band according to claim 22, whereineach of the separation facilitators is a thin part formed in theadhesive layer.
 25. The combination band according to claim 22, whereineach of the separation facilitators is a v-shaped notch formed in anupper end rim part of the combination band and has a forward sideextending coaxially with the fastener and a rearward side having aninclination angle of 3 to 6 degrees with respect to an axial directionof the fastener.
 26. The combination band according to claim 22, whereineach of the separation facilitators is a vulnerable part formed as alinear thin part across an entirety of the width direction of theadhesive layer.
 27. The combination band according to claim 22, whereineach of the separation facilitators is a vulnerable part formed as alinear thin part of the adhesive layer, at a position between the shaftsof the fasteners disposed in parallel at equal intervals.
 28. Theconnected fastener of claim 21, wherein the separation facilitators areformed only in the adhesive layer.